Pub chain JD Wetherspoon is to cut the opening times of its outlets at the weekends in response to late-night levies being introduced by local councils.

The group, which saw its like-for-like sales lift 4.9% in the 10 weeks to July 6, said the late-night levy which can be imposed by local authorities on licensed premises after midnight is an unfair tax burden on publicans.

Chairman Tim Martin, who founded the company in 1979, said "almost all" of the firm's pubs open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, but they will now close early in areas where the levy is introduced.

The levy, designed to pay for late-night policing, ranges between £299 and £4,400 a year depending on the value of the property.

Mr Martin said: "It is not economically viable for us to be open for those two hours over the weekend. Pubs already pay a heavy tax burden compared to other types of businesses."

The levy has been introduced in Newcastle and Cheltenham and will soon be introduced in the City of London and Islington, with JD Wetherspoon saying it will seek to cut back its opening hours in each case.

JD Wetherspoon, which runs 930 pubs, added that its like-for-like revenues over the last 49 weeks rose 5.4%.

The group said its sales over the World Cup were "slightly weaker", although it does not brand itself as a sports pub. It banned TVs from its outlets for many years and even now usually has them on with the sound turned down.

The business opened its first pub outside the UK yesterday, in Blackrock, Ireland. It plans to open up to 40 pubs in Ireland over the next 10 to 15 years.

In the UK, the business has opened 45 pubs in the current financial year to the end of July, to be followed by between 30 and 40 in the next year.

JD Wetherspoon, which posts its full-year results on September 12, said although sales have slowed in recent weeks, it remains "confident of a reasonable outcome" in the current financial year.

Brokers at Shore Capital trimmed their 2014 forecast for JD Wetherspoon by £500,000 due to margin concerns and expect it to report a pre-tax profit of £77.6 million.

Comments (9)

The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.

The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.Copperhead

Copperhead wrote:
The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.

Well, if you were a customer of the pub round the corner from me I have to say I would find it a relief it had sorter opening hours. Reading your comment is like playing EDL bingo.

[quote][p][bold]Copperhead[/bold] wrote:
The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.[/p][/quote]Well, if you were a customer of the pub round the corner from me I have to say I would find it a relief it had sorter opening hours. Reading your comment is like playing EDL bingo.Rocksalt

Copperhead wrote:
The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.

1) You seem to have missed the fact that we've had a Tory-led government since 2010
2) Yes, legalised handguns are a great idea, aren't they? Look how much safer you are in the US as a result of their widespread ownership...
3) There is no ban on free speech. No one has stopped you posting your ludicrous views, have they?
4) I wasn't aware the 'left' were the friends of big property-owning landlords. Do you want to go away and have a bit of a think about that one?
5) Councils have to pick up the costs of clearing up the streets after all the drunks are let loose on the streets at 1am. If this measure means they close their pubs close a bit earlier then I'm all for it.
6) Believe me, Wetherspoons will only do whatever maximises their profits. They are not a community facility and they are not interested in the working classes, except to part them from their money.

[quote][p][bold]Copperhead[/bold] wrote:
The politically-correct brigade, lead, as usual by left-wing busy-bodies, are trying to ban alcohol.
They hate the working class enjoying themselves ( let's face it, today's middle-class marxists hate the working class full stop. They only like immigrants who, they hope, will be eternally grateful for their new British citizenship and vote labour forever ) and have already managed to almost outlaw smoking.
Gambling is next. Watch for new anti-gambling legislation.
Now then, let's see what else these do-gooders have banned or made difficult.
You can't own a gun ( they banned those because they know we would use our guns on THEM given the right circumstances ).
Getting a motorcycle licence gets more difficult every year.
No free speech anymore in case someone says something about immigrants.
Can't get a mortgage or afford a house so we are at the mercy of landlords ( nowadays either big property companies or asians ).
Yes, what a mess the left has made of the UK.[/p][/quote]1) You seem to have missed the fact that we've had a Tory-led government since 2010
2) Yes, legalised handguns are a great idea, aren't they? Look how much safer you are in the US as a result of their widespread ownership...
3) There is no ban on free speech. No one has stopped you posting your ludicrous views, have they?
4) I wasn't aware the 'left' were the friends of big property-owning landlords. Do you want to go away and have a bit of a think about that one?
5) Councils have to pick up the costs of clearing up the streets after all the drunks are let loose on the streets at 1am. If this measure means they close their pubs close a bit earlier then I'm all for it.
6) Believe me, Wetherspoons will only do whatever maximises their profits. They are not a community facility and they are not interested in the working classes, except to part them from their money.WalkingOnAWire

Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.

These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???

Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.
These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???Viva Trowvegas

Viva Trowvegas wrote:
Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.

These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???

How can you accuse Labour of eroding your freedoms, when they haven't been in power since 2010? All the legislation that's been enacted since then has been brought in by a Tory government.

[quote][p][bold]Viva Trowvegas[/bold] wrote:
Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.
These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???[/p][/quote]How can you accuse Labour of eroding your freedoms, when they haven't been in power since 2010? All the legislation that's been enacted since then has been brought in by a Tory government.WalkingOnAWire

Viva Trowvegas wrote:
Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.

These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???

How can you accuse Labour of eroding your freedoms, when they haven't been in power since 2010? All the legislation that's been enacted since then has been brought in by a Tory government.

Because from 1997, Labour carried on doing what Thatcher started in 1979. History didn't start in 2010 you know.

[quote][p][bold]WalkingOnAWire[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Viva Trowvegas[/bold] wrote:
Copperhead is right to an extent. I have voted Labour all my life but I can't see it happening again all the time it's run by Frankfurt School career politicians.
These people are diluting our freedoms by the day whilst all the time taking control of what we can and can't do. The freedoms fought for by those we should never forget are being taken, piece by piece, away from us. And these people claim to be liberals???[/p][/quote]How can you accuse Labour of eroding your freedoms, when they haven't been in power since 2010? All the legislation that's been enacted since then has been brought in by a Tory government.[/p][/quote]Because from 1997, Labour carried on doing what Thatcher started in 1979. History didn't start in 2010 you know.Viva Trowvegas

Maybe pubs shouldn't serve drunk people (which is against the Law) and then expect the Police to deal with these drunks causing trouble.
You don't see sober people fighting in the street at midnight. These people are drunk, served this alcohol by pubs. Pubs should not profit from serving drunk people yet not pay towards it's consequences.

Maybe pubs shouldn't serve drunk people (which is against the Law) and then expect the Police to deal with these drunks causing trouble.
You don't see sober people fighting in the street at midnight. These people are drunk, served this alcohol by pubs. Pubs should not profit from serving drunk people yet not pay towards it's consequences.Jonn

What is the definition of drunk? Drunk people get served in every bar I go in. You're not allowed to be drunk if you fly, yet plenty are allowed on board to do so.

Where do you draw the line, people?

Nanny state decides. Leave it to the local coppers who are not targeted to book pedestrian drunkards because they don't get prosecuted, they get a caution, which means it doesn't count for much in their annual objectives.

Coppers are more interested in easy targets like car speed merchants and overloaded vehicles. Hence why these stupid laws are coming in - ok for NIMBY's but not much fun for the majority of law-abiding people having a good night out.

But I'm alright Jack. Another local boozer will shut down. The fabric of working class Britain is being eroded. Cameron and Milliband are happy and that's what matters to ConLibLab and their cohorts.

What is the definition of drunk? Drunk people get served in every bar I go in. You're not allowed to be drunk if you fly, yet plenty are allowed on board to do so.
Where do you draw the line, people?
Nanny state decides. Leave it to the local coppers who are not targeted to book pedestrian drunkards because they don't get prosecuted, they get a caution, which means it doesn't count for much in their annual objectives.
Coppers are more interested in easy targets like car speed merchants and overloaded vehicles. Hence why these stupid laws are coming in - ok for NIMBY's but not much fun for the majority of law-abiding people having a good night out.
But I'm alright Jack. Another local boozer will shut down. The fabric of working class Britain is being eroded. Cameron and Milliband are happy and that's what matters to ConLibLab and their cohorts.Viva Trowvegas

Post a comment

Comment

Remember you are personally responsible for what you post on this site and must abide by our site terms. Do not post anything that is false, abusive or malicious. If you wish to complain, please use the ‘report this post’ link.